Ver. 1. And the Lord spake.] At another time belike.
Ver. 2. Shall sin through ignorance.] Or, infirmity; being suddenly surprised, preoccupated. (Galatians 6:1 Hebrews 5:2) [See Trapp on “Ga 6:1”] [See Trapp on “Heb 5:2”]
Ver. 3. A young bullock.] The same sacrifice that should be offered for the sin of the whole people, (Leviticus 4:14) to note the heinousness of the priest’s sin above others. The sins of teachers are the teachers of sins.
Ver. 4. Shall lay his hand.] Confessing his sin, (Leviticus 5:5) and professing his faith in Christ, the true sin offering. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Ver. 5. Shall take of the bullock’s blood.] See Hebrews 5:2,3 7:26-28. [See Trapp on “Heb 5:2”] [See Trapp on “Heb 5:3”] [See Trapp on “Heb 7:26”] [See Trapp on “Heb 7:27”] [See Trapp on “Heb 7:28”]
Ver. 6. Seven times before the Lord.] Because in this case there was need of much and great purgation.
Ver. 7. Upon the horns of the altar.] To signify, saith one, that the preaching of the gospel concerning the blood of Christ, should be published and proclaimed to the four corners of the earth. To show, saith another, that by faith in the blood of Christ, our prayers are acceptable unto God, and our infirmities pardoned and purged.
Ver. 8. All the fat.] Because, among other things, it signified hard heartedness and insensibleness of sin and danger. (Psalms 119:70) Dionysius the Heracleot felt not needles thrust into his fat belly, saith the history.
Ver. 9. With the kidneys.] See Leviticus 3:4.
Ver. 11. And the skin, &c.] [See Trapp on “Le 1:9”]
Ver. 12. Shall he carry forth,] Hebrews 13:11,12. [See Trapp on “Heb 13:11”] [See Trapp on “Heb 13:12”]
Ver. 13. And if the whole congregation.] Particular congregations, then, may err for a season; though not finally, fundamentally, if they be “the congregation of saints,” (Psalms 89:5) and not “the congregation of hypocrites,” (Job 15:34) the Church malignant. And they have done somewhat.] Either by transgression or disobedience, (Hebrews 2:2) omission or commission.
Ver. 14. When the sin is known.] Sin may sleep a long time like a sleeping debt, not called for of many years. But, Nullum tempus occurrit regi. God may send out a summons for sleepers, and punish our bygone or secret sins.
Ver. 15. And the elders.] These, as the representative congregation, took upon them the guilt of their common errors, as those did in 2 Chronicles 29:23.
Ver. 16. And the priest that is anointed,] i.e., The high priest; a type of Christ, who was anointed, not with material oil, as they, but with the Spirit, that oil of gladness, both above and for his fellow brethren. (Psalms 45 Hebrews 1:9) See 1 John 2:27 2Co 1:21,22. Howbeit his oil shines brightest, and swims aloft above all others.
Ver. 17. Seven times.] A number of perfection; to note the most absolute sufficiency of Christ’s death to purge and reconcile us to God; and that he is able to save such to the uttermost (εις το παντελες) that come unto God by him. (Hebrews 7:25)
Ver. 18. Upon the horns.] [See Trapp on “Le 4:7”] At the bottom of the altar.] To set forth the plenty and sufficiency of grace and merit in Christ’s death, for many more than are actually saved by it.
Ver. 19. And he shall take all his fat.] Christ offered himself and the best parts he had, suffering in soul and body.
Ver. 20. As he did with the bullock.] For even ignorance and infirmities are deadly sins, direct fruits of the flesh, (John 3:6) and such as for which Christ laid down his life, even “for the errors (αγνοηματα) of the people.” (Hebrews 9:7)
Ver. 21. Without the camp.] Pointing to Christ, who carried our sins out of God’s sight. See Hebrews 13:12. [See Trapp on “Heb 13:12”]
Ver. 22. When a ruler hath sinned.] Great men’s sins do more hurt, (1.) By imitation; for, Vita principis censura est, imo Cynosura; according to these glasses most men dress themselves: (2.) By imputation; for, plectuntur achivi; the poor people pay for it; as they did for David’s, whether ignorance or infirmity, in omitting that duty enjoined; (Exodus 30:12-15) thence the plague. (2 Samuel 24:13-17)
Ver. 23. Come to his knowledge.] As David’s did, (2 Samuel 24:11) who saw such volumes of infirmities, and so many erratas in all that he did, that he once cried out, “Who knoweth the errors of his life? Oh, cleanse me from secret sins.” (Psalms 19:12) This he knew was the import of all these Levitical cleansings.
Ver. 24. Lay his hand.] [See Trapp on “Le 4:4”]
Ver. 25. At the bottom.] See Leviticus 4:18.
Ver. 26. All his fat.] See Leviticus 4:19. The fat was burnt, saith one, because, among other things, it signified duricordium, hard heartedness. (Psalms 119:70)
Ver. 27. And if any soul sin.] As there is none that liveth and sinneth not. (1 Kings 8:46) Triste mortalitatis privilegium est licere aliquando peccare. Ephor. Augusta nimis res est, et nulli mortalium concessa nuspiam errare. -Amama.
Ver. 28. Come to his knowledge.] By the check of his own conscience, awakened by the word or rod of God.
Ver. 29. And slay the sin offering.] That is, the priest shall: for no man might offer his own sacrifice upon pain of death; as is afore noted.
Ver. 30. And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger.] See on Leviticus 4:18.
Ver. 31. For a sweet savour.] [See Trapp on “Le 1:9”] The death of Christ is ever in the sight of his heavenly Father: and hence it was that those typical sacrifices and all our performances are still accepted.
Ver. 32. And if he bring a lamb.] This sacrifice hath not wholly the same fat as that of a goat, and therefore is spoken of apart.
Ver. 33. And he shall lay his hand.] He that bringeth it shall: see Leviticus 4:4. And he shall offer it.] The priest shall.
Ver. 34. And the priest shall take.] See upon Leviticus 4:18.
Ver. 35. According to the offerings.] Or, Upon the offerings; or, Besides the burnt offerings daily offered to the Lord.